International Master Arun Vaidya, India's seventh IM and a key figure in the country's chess history, passed away on December 24, 2025, at the age of 76. Known for his playing achievements in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as his influential coaching career, Vaidya left a lasting impact on Indian chess through his students and contemporaries. Tributes from grandmasters like Viswanathan Anand highlight his warmth and dedication to the game.
Arun Vaidya, born in 1949, emerged as one of India's strongest players during the 1970s and 1980s. He secured the National B title in 1971 in Shimla and again in 1982 in Ahmedabad. At the 1972 National A championship in Shimla, Vaidya tied for first with Manuel Aaron and Mohammed Hasan, scoring 9.5/13 points. His victory over Aaron featured a stunning sacrifice: "...Nxe4!! A stunning sacrifice," as described in the book Indian Chess History by Aaron and Pandit. In the subsequent playoff in Delhi, Vaidya finished third behind Aaron and Hasan.
After a break following the 1973 nationals to focus on personal life, Vaidya returned strongly in the 1980s. He won the 1982 Palani tournament and qualified for the national team. Representing India at the 1984 Chess Olympiad in Thessaloniki, Greece, he earned his IM title in 1985 at the Asian Zonal Championships in Dubai. A pivotal moment came in the 1986 National Championships in Bombay, where Vaidya, on 10.5 points, faced 16-year-old Viswanathan Anand in the final round. Playing white in a Grünfeld, Vaidya dominated much of the game but lost on time. Anand recalled, "It was a game full of mistakes, but still kind of interesting... Had he beaten me, he would have taken the title!"
Shifting to coaching in the 1990s after moving to Pune, Vaidya mentored talents like GMs Abhijit Kunte and Soumya Swaminathan, WGMs Swati Ghate and Eesha Karavade, and IMs Rakesh Kulkarni and Prathamesh Mokal. Encouraged by friend Ravi Behere to share his knowledge, he ran sessions like a "Gurukul," teaching not just chess but life skills, including cooking and self-reliance. His wife, Sunila, provided unwavering support, creating a family-like environment for students, as they had no biological children.
Vaidya remained active until the end, conducting kids' training sessions days before his death in Thane. GM Pravin Thipsay praised his sincerity in coaching camps under GM Eduard Gufeld and his multi-skilled nature, from repairing clocks to cooking. Anand remembered him as "uncle," sharing fond memories of poha and blitz games. Students like Kulkarni credited Vaidya for professional inspiration and awards like the Shiv Chhatrapati. His sudden passing shocked the fraternity, but his legacy endures through those he shaped.
